The theme for Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards (MKBAA) 2018 was International Trade, deliberately chosen to reflect the fact that the UK is about to leave the European Union and achieve Brexit.
The big winners of Milton Keynes’ most prestigious awards were Aero Tec Laboratories, who picked up Business of the Year, as well as a category award for Innovation and Technology; Roger Bowden, who was presented with the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award, and Media Hawk, who received MKBAA’s themed award for International Trade.
The awards, which celebrated the great work achieved by businesses across Milton Keynes, saw more entries and a bigger, better and more glamourous awards evening than ever before.
Aero Tec Laboratories (ATL) manufactures composite bladder devices and fluid transfer systems for Racing Cars, Aircraft, Space Craft, Defence Vehicles, Submersibles, Marine Craft and Industry. Proudly remaining a world leader in Fuel Cell Design and Technology, ATL holds an impressive list of valued repeat customers, including the supply of every Formula 1 team for over two decades. The judges were unanimous in awarding ATL the title of Business of the Year 2018.
MKBAA Business of the Year, sponsored by The Open University, is chosen by the judges from the winners of each of the twelve categories and is the highest accolade any business in Milton Keynes can achieve.
The MKBAA Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Barclays, was awarded to Roger Bowden, founder and chairman of Niftylift for his active outreach and the kind of home-grown success story that makes headlines.
The Winners
Business Impact in the Community – sponsored by Association of Milton Keynes Hoteliers Destination Milton Keynes
Best Use of Social Media – sponsored by Evolution International Willen Hospice
Charity of the Year – sponsored by Bletchley Park Milton Keynes Dons Sports & Education Trust
Customer Service – sponsored by Freeths
Mirus IT Solutions
Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Geoffrey Leaver Sweat Yoga and Pilates
Leisure, Entertainment & Arts – sponsored by DP Associates The Parks Trust
New Business – sponsored by BSI
Beer Bear
Design & Creativity – sponsored by Niftylift Cygnus
Innovation & Technology – sponsored by University of Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes campus Aero Tec Laboratories
Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Keens Shay Keens Theresa Pope – Dandi Patch
Professional Services – sponsored by dbfb Communications Howes Percival
International Trade – sponsored by Mazars Mediahawk
Chair of MKBLP, Dr Philip Smith MBE said: “This year’s awards represented a celebration of the success of the fantastic business community we have here in Milton Keynes, and also looked at the bigger economic landscape and how many businesses are starting to grow and adapt to the imminent Brexit.
“Milton Keynes has some fantastic business clusters, such as financial services, logistics; digital, media and communications and business services. The challenge going forward will be to grow our non-EU export markets at the same time as taking maximum advantage of whatever trade deal is negotiated with the European Union post Brexit.
“Now in its fifth consecutive year, Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards continues to go from strength to strength, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors as without their support this celebration of business success in our city would not be possible.”
